Our Dogs
Ivy
Ivy is a small Pointer (GSP) – black in colour with white flecks, she also has big red-brown eyes, which she uses to hypnotise you into giving her more treats! She is a fun but gentle character and particularly loves working with children.
As a qualified Assistance Dog, Ivy greatly supports her owner by mitigating their PTSD symptoms, but Ivy also enjoys spreading her love to others when working as a Therapy Dog. Ivy was rescued from Serbia – probably a failed gun dog thrown out and left to her own devices before being rescued by SOS Serbian Pointer & Pals Rescue | Facebook – then adopted by her owner in the UK.
When not working she loves chasing birds on the beach, playing with her sister (Lilly), and eating cheese!
Tinker-belle
Tinker is a black Labrador – still a young dog but has been in training as a Therapy Dog since arriving at her forever home. She loves cuddles, is calm, confident, and gentle with people. She enjoys visiting little people at schools and nurseries but is equally as good with the frail and/or elderly. Despite her young age – she loves nothing more than curling up on someone’s lap or beside them on a bed or couch.
When not at work, Tinker loves to play with her sister Dottie (another black labrador) – particularly if the play involves water. She also enjoys stealing fruit and veg from her owner’s garden!
Deano
Deano is a German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) with a gentle but mischievious character. He has a very quiet and calm demeanour, which can lead you to believe he couldn’t possibly be the dog who just stole your biscuit a moment ago!
He is a trained gun-dog working with his human as a wildlife ranger, but now Deano is approaching 7 years old, he wants to slow things down a little and is changing careers to Therapy work. This is ideal for him – as he absolutely loves cuddles, and despite his size would happily stay on your lap all day.
When not at work, Deano enjoys playing in the garden with his younger brother Sidd, and going for fun walks with his neighbour and collegue Tinker-belle.
Lilly
Lil (or Licky-Lil as we fondly call her), is a Huntaway x Cocker Spaniel. She is black in colour with a little white fur on her chin. Lil is a young re-homed dog who is a lively member of our team. She absolutely LOVES people and loves playing tug or fetch with anyone and everyone. Her speciality is giving out kisses (licks) to those who request them – thus her nickname.
She loves her work as a Therapy Dog – particularly visits to hospitals and care homes where she can give and receive lots of cuddles. When not at work – she loves fetching balls, chasing birds on the beach and playing with her sister (Ivy).
Treacle
Treacle (or Treeks) is a Wire-haired German Pointer x Labrador. She is a re-homed ‘failed’ gundog, living an exciting new life with her owner who takes her travelling and is often out hillwalking. Treeks, is the most confident of our dogs and helps us to train others by sharing her confidence – especially on Public Transport and in Public Access situations.
She has a mischievous sense of humour and likes to be the centre of attention. Ignore her at your peril, as she will find someway to grab your attention! Treacle enjoys visits to hospitals and care homes as well as helping us train other dogs.
When not at work, Treacle loves the long walks her owner takes her on – just as happy having a day at the beach – as she is climbing a Munro or two.
Mary
Mary is an Irish Wolfhound and is by far the largest of our Therapy dogs. However, Mary is a gentle giant, with a lovely, relaxed temperament. She loves to be petted and will quite happly sleep at your feet for hours.
Her size makes her ideal for visiting those who are bed-bound, or who are wheel-chair users – we certainly couldn’t lift her up like we do with some of our team!
When not at work, she enjoys walks on the beach and playing with her tiny sister – Dolly the Jack Russell (JRT). We all know that the difference in size means nothing – any JRT is always in charge lol!
Ember
Ember is a black, Huntaway x Pointer with a small triangle of white on her chest. She is still a young dog but has started on her Therapy Dog training with us and is proving very keen to learn. A very clever wee dog who is keeping us and her owners on our toes!
She loves people and loves a cuddle and approaches everything with enthusiasm. Ember is starting to go out on visits, but you will see us keeping her away from people initially until she has calmed down – which is all part of the training process. She will eventually make a super Therapy Dog as people are most definitely her favourite thing in life.
When not in training, she enjoys a good bounce around in long grass, digging holes or playing with her favourite toy – a wee Highland Cow!
Minnie
Minnie (or Minnie-moo) is a black and white Sprollie (that’s a cross between a Collie and a Springer Spaniel). She is very affectionate – loves a hug, gentle strokes and often leans against you. She is tripod – after unfortunately losing a leg after an accident whilst out on a walk, but that doesn’t hold her back one bit. She still loves to run, chase balls, and does CaniScoot with her owner (racing pulling a Scooter powered by her human).
When not volunteering as a Therapy Dog, Minnie likes to play with her big brother Patch (a huge dalmatian), cuddling up next to you by the fire, or eating cheese!
Jessie
Jess is a traditional black and white Collie. She is still young (under a year old and thus still in training), but is very loving and gentle. She loves… well everyone… young or old and enjoys handing out hugs and cuddles as much as she enjoys receiving them. Her parents are both full working dogs, and they have passed their learning ethics down to Jess, who is always so willing to try anything new and is very keen to please.
When not volunteering, Jess loves to play with her ‘big sis’ Minnie and big brother Patch, but her favourite activity is rounding up Tommy the cob pony lol!
Jura
Jura is a black and white pocket-pointer. Rescued from Cyprus, she arrived with no tail, but she makes up for that by wriggling/wagging her whole body to ensure you know she is happy. That said – she sure knows how to turn on the ‘woe is me’ expression for treats or cuddles, and I don’t think anyone can resist. Being pocket-sized, she is the perfect lap-dog and would stay with you all day so long as you didn’t stop stroking her.
Don’t be fooled by her soppy expression though – when not at Canine and Able, Jura is extremely accomplished at man-trailing and loves big mountain days as well as long beach walks at top speed.
Donate
Help us to help others by contributing to the work we do
Find out more
Volunteer
Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience – even more so with a dog by your side!
Find out more
Find Out More
Therapy dogs
Sessions for nurseries, schools, hospitals, care homes, workplaces, community groups.
General Dog Training
Our affordable social-enterprise activity to help fund our therapy sessions. Puppy confidence, obedience, heelwork, recall, socialisation, and more.
Transport Training
Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in all manner of transport (planes, trains, buses, trams, ferries, taxi).
Public Access
Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in public places to the required standard set by the Assistance Dog Assessment Associations (ADAA).
Other Services
Educational talks regarding the roles of Therapy dogs and Assistance dogs and the Laws surrounding access rights.